Stress
Stress is often subtle—and incredibly destructive. Many people don’t realize how overwhelmed they are until the effects show up as fatigue, poor sleep, pain, anxiety, digestive issues, or burnout. Chronic stress quietly takes a toll on both the mind and body.
Acupuncture is scientifically proven to influence how the brain and nervous system respond to stress. Research shows acupuncture helps regulate the stress response, calm the sympathetic nervous system, balance stress hormones, and support emotional resilience, naturally and without medication.
At Wildflower Acupuncture, we help patients identify hidden stress patterns and restore balance through personalized acupuncture treatments
Physical symptoms of stress include:
Low energy
Headaches
Upset stomach, including diarrhoea, constipation and nausea
Aches, pains, and tense muscles
Chest pain and rapid heartbeat
Insomnia
Frequent colds and infections
Loss of sexual desire and/or ability
Nervousness and shaking, ringing in the ear
Cold or sweaty hands and feet
Excess sweating
Dry mouth and difficulty swallowing
Clenched jaw and grinding teeth
Weight gain/loss
Emotional symptoms of stress include:
Becoming easily agitated, frustrated and moody
Feeling overwhelmed, like you are losing control or need to take control
Having difficulty relaxing and quieting your mind
Feeling bad about yourself (low self-esteem), lonely, worthless and depressed
Avoiding others
Anxiety
Depression
Benefits of Acupuncture for stress:
Acupuncture releases endorphins and activates natural pain killers
Strengthens the immune system
Acts on areas of the brain known to reduce sensitivity to pain and stress as well as promotes relaxation and deactivation of the “analytical brain, which is responsible for anxiety and worry
Improves stress induced memory impairment and an increasing AchE reactivity in the hippocampus
Reduces serum levels of corticosterone and the number of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive cells
Regulates levels of neurotransmitters and hormones such as serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine, GABA, neuropeptide Y and ACTH, which alternatively helps combat negative affective states
Stimulates production of endogenous opioids that affect the autonomic nervous system
Reverses pathological changes in levels of inflammatory cytokines that are associated with stress reactions
Reduces inflammation, by promoting release of vascular and immunomodulatory factors
Reverses stress-induced changes in behaviour and biochemistry